Developing a Model for Monitoring the Effectiveness of Public Policies in the Banking System in the Digital Age
Subject Areas : Administration of Public Affairs, Governance, Policy and Public Policy
Amir Vafaei
1
,
Karamollah Daneshfard
2
*
,
مرتضی موسی خانی
3
1 - PhD student, Department of Public Administration, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 - Professor, Department of Public Administration, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3 - Prof., Department of Executive Management, Faculty of Management and Economics, Islamic Azad University Sciences and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran.
Keywords: Public Policy-Making, Effectiveness of Public Policy, Digital Age,
Abstract :
Extended Abstract
Developing a Model for Monitoring the Effectiveness of Public Policies in the Banking System in the Digital Age
Amir Vafaei
PhD Student, Department of Public Administration, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran.
Karamollah Daneshfard
Professor, Department of Public Administration, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran. (Corresponding Author)
Morteza Mousakhani
Professor, Department of Executive Management, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
Introduction
In today’s interconnected world, the integration of digital technologies has become essential for enhancing the performance of public sector institutions, including the banking system, which must adapt to ongoing global transformations to maintain public trust through quality service delivery (Sari et al., 2023; Dunng et al., 2021). Digital transformation has disrupted traditional business ecosystems, creating new digital environments that influence strategic policymaking and call for adjustments in organizational practices (Türkmen & Soyer, 2020). Despite its growing importance, current academic literature lacks a comprehensive model for monitoring the effectiveness of public banking policies in the digital era. Most studies are fragmented, with limited empirical evidence, and the private sector has outpaced the public sector in adopting digital innovations. This research addresses that gap by proposing a structured model based on expert input and a systematic literature review to improve policy oversight, implementation, and long-term effectiveness in the banking sector.
Case Study
At this stage of the study, in line with the primary objective of developing a model for monitoring the effectiveness of public banking policies in the digital era, a qualitative approach based on thematic analysis was employed. Data collection and analysis followed an inductive, bottom-up process. The participants were experts familiar with the research subject and its practical context, including university professors specializing in public administration and digital banking, as well as executive managers from Bank Karafarin. The sample size was determined based on theoretical saturation, which was achieved with 15 participants. A purposive and judgmental sampling method was used to ensure relevance and depth. The primary research tool in the qualitative phase was an exploratory interview guided by a framework of open-ended questions and supported by relevant background information.
Theoretical Framework
This study aims to monitor the effectiveness of public policies in the banking system during the digital era and the essential requirements for enhancing quality, ensuring accurate implementation, and promoting continuous improvement of policies. The research specifically seeks to develop a comprehensive model for monitoring the effectiveness of public banking policies in the context of digital transformation. In terms of purpose, the study is applied and developmental. Regarding methodology, it follows an exploratory mixed-methods design. A sequential exploratory mixed-methods approach was adopted to achieve the research objectives, combining qualitative and quantitative phases in a structured and integrated manner.
Methodology
This applied; the cross-sectional and field-based study followed a sequential exploratory mixed-methods design (qualitative-quantitative). In the qualitative phase, thematic analysis with an inductive approach was used to develop a model for monitoring the effectiveness of public banking policies in the digital era. Participants included university professors in public administration and digital banking, and executive managers from Bank Karafarin, selected through purposive and judgmental sampling. Theoretical saturation was reached after 15 semi-structured interviews. Techniques such as triangulation, expert validation, and inter-coder reliability (Cohen’s Kappa = 0.74) were used to ensure trustworthiness. Thematic coding was conducted in three steps: initial, focused, and axial. In the quantitative phase, a Likert-scale questionnaire was developed based on qualitative findings and distributed to 120 digital banking experts selected via snowball sampling. Two experts confirmed content validity and verified reliability with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.852. Data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling and confirmatory factor analysis in SmartPLS 3.
Discussion and Results
The qualitative findings of the study, based on thematic analysis, led to the development of a comprehensive model for monitoring the effectiveness of public banking policies in the digital era. Through a three-stage coding process—initial, focused, and axial—33 primary codes were extracted from expert interviews. These codes were categorized into four major domains: monitoring of banking technology and innovation (7 codes), organizational performance (10 codes), market and customer-related aspects (8 codes), and the socio-economic impacts of public policies (8 codes). The insights provided by participants highlighted various key indicators, such as digital service adoption rates, net interest margins in digital banking, operational cost reductions through technology, and the bank’s commitment to digital expansion.
In the quantitative phase, structural equation modeling and confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the significance and strength of the proposed model. All four domains showed strong standardized coefficients: technology and innovation (0.823), organizational performance (0.914), market and customer aspects (0.894), and socio-economic impacts (0.861), with all corresponding significance values well above the critical threshold. These results indicate that the identified categories are highly correlated with the effectiveness of public banking policy monitoring in the digital age. Additionally, all 33 specific indicators were statistically validated. The reliability analysis further supported these findings, with Cronbach’s alpha values exceeding 0.70 for all variables, confirming the internal consistency and stability of the questionnaire. The findings demonstrate that the proposed model is a valid and reliable tool for evaluating public policy effectiveness in digital banking transformation.
Conclusion
This research aimed to design a comprehensive model for monitoring the effectiveness of public policies in the banking sector within the context of digital transformation. The model was developed using expert interviews, thematic analysis, and quantitative validation through structural equation modeling. It has four main dimensions: technology and innovation, organizational performance, market and customer engagement, and socio-economic impacts, with 33 validated indicators. The findings provide a structured and practical framework that can guide policymakers, banking managers, and regulators in assessing, improving, and sustaining the effectiveness of public policies in the digital age.
Contribution of authors
All authors have participated in this research in equal proportion.
Ethical approval
No conflicts of interest are declared by the authors.
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